Norwegian Football Federation Defies Clubs' Request to Scrap VAR

Despite protests and opposition from top clubs, the Norwegian Football Federation has decided to continue using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system in domestic leagues.

The Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) has decided to continue using the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, despite a majority of top clubs in Norway voting to abolish its use. This decision was announced by Football President Lise Klaveness on Wednesday, following a two-day board meeting. The board reached a unanimous decision to uphold the use of VAR.

According to Klaveness, the NFF cannot discontinue the VAR project at this stage, given the significant resources invested in its implementation. She emphasized that VAR has become an integral part of European club and national team football, and Norway should not abandon it after only two seasons. Klaveness stated, “We cannot already stop a project in which so many people have invested resources and which has only been allowed to function for two seasons, and which has become an important part of European club and national team football.”

HUGE VAR NEWS.

Lise Klavenes and the NFF has decided that VAR is here to STAY in Norway… 🤬

In a press conference earlier today, Lise and NFF have outright refused to listen to the overwhelming majority of clubs and fans in the Norwegian top tiers…

This triggered all the… pic.twitter.com/EGspTUBqPO

— Football Norway (@NorwayFooty) January 29, 2025

The decision to continue using VAR goes against the wishes of the majority of top clubs in Norway. Last week, the 32 teams in Norsk Toppfotball (NTF), which represents clubs in Norway's Eliteserien and First Division, passed a motion requesting the NFF to discontinue the use of VAR as soon as possible. The use of VAR has been a contentious issue in Norway, with supporters frequently protesting its implementation.

The protests against VAR have sometimes turned violent, with a notable incident occurring in July when a top-flight match between Rosenborg and Lillestrom was abandoned due to supporter unrest. Fans threw tennis balls, fishcakes, and smoke bombs onto the pitch, forcing the match to be called off. Despite these protests, the NFF has chosen to continue with the VAR system.